SHREWBSURY, Mass. (AP) — Shrewsbury selectmen have approved the removal of thousands of trees in town that have been infested with the destructive Asian longhorned beetle.

The Telegram & Gazette (http://bit.ly/15Q2p3b ) reports that the board on Tuesday approved the removal of hardwood trees on 92 acres.

Clint McFarland and Julie Coop of the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the infested host trees, mostly red maple, are north of St. John's High School athletic fields on Main Street and south of Route 290. Some of the property belongs to St. John's, some to the town and some is in a Worcester-owned gun range.

They said they hope to begin the work soon and have it completed by May 30.

The tree-killing beetle, native to China, was first discovered in the Worcester area in 2008.